'08 IL OLB Darius Fleming (Signed LOI to ND)

[Katzenboyer]

Originally Posted by GoldenDomer3

I saw that too - that he wasn't thrilled with the idea of packing on 40-50 pounds to be a down lineman, or being an undersized end who got pushed around every down. I'm really liking what this 3-4 can do for us in recruiting battles.

We can tell a 240 lbs DE, "Guess what? Your size fits perfectly at OLB. If you adjust, you could see the field day one."

We go to a 280 lbs DT, and say, "Actually, your size is ideal in our scheme. If you work with your coaches on leverage, I think we can get you on the field early at DE."

Other schools don't have that luxury. They have to tell recruits that they need to bulk up before they get on the field. With the way Weis has set this thing up, where the best players play regardless how long they've been on the team, this is really going to lure kids on defense, since they won't need to pack on weight to play.

Very well put. Not only that, but it also allows something that is a STAPLE of good NFL teams: flexibility.

My beloved New England Patriots won 3 championships, 2 of them with Troy Brown, a WR, getting significant time at defensive back. Richard Seymour was drafted as a defensive tackle and plays it very well in the 4-3 ... but he's one of the most dominant DEs in a 3-4.

Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens can put his knuckle down and rush the QB as a defensive end -- or he can drop into coverage as an OLB. And so on and so fourth.

We can recruit a 280 pound high school senior and play him at DE -- and if he struggles, have him pack on some pounds and play him at the nose. 250 - 260 pound guys who can run can be taught to drop back into coverage, giving you a big, mean, fast defense.

There's a lot of ways you can go with players in the 3-4, and that's what I like most about it.

[Irishtat]

Originally Posted by Clausen2Kamara

Thanks Irishknight, great Q and A. I love what he said about Corwin Brown, good stuff.

Corwin Brown is the truth! The 08 class should be the best defensive class in some time... Great class forming.

Go Irish!

http://recruitsni.blogspot.com/2007/...iew-51607.html

[rockne19]

A little change of subject,how come we never hear mike haywood's name mentioned when it comes to recruiting?When he was at LSU and Texas he was one of their top recruiters ,especially in the state of Texas.I think he's from the Houston area?

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Originally Posted by rockne19

A little change of subject,how come we never hear mike haywood's name mentioned when it comes to recruiting?When he was at LSU and Texas he was one of their top recruiters ,especially in the state of Texas.I think he's from the Houston area?

Thats a really good question. Wasn't Haywood responsible for getting Cedric Benson to go to Texas?

[GoshenGipper]

It's just really really hard to get players out of those areas right now. Although I do know that he is taking the Corwin Brown approach and is helping to recruit all the top offensive targets not in his region. In fact I saw him mentioned in a recent C.Thomas article.

But let's try to stay on subject and keep this thread about Darius.

[johnnd05]

Originally Posted by rockne19

A little change of subject,how come we never hear mike haywood's name mentioned when it comes to recruiting?When he was at LSU and Texas he was one of their top recruiters ,especially in the state of Texas.I think he's from the Houston area?

A LITTLE change of subject??